Ironing machine structure



0d 7, 1941 .1.J. MccABE Er'AL I 2,258,499 v j IRONING MACHINE STRUCTURE v l Filed lawn 16', 195s s sheets-snelst 2 WYENTORS.

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r Patented Oct. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE John J. McCabe, Cleveland, and Walter G. Brittain, Parma, Ohio, assignors to The Apex Electrical Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of O hio Application March 16, 1933, Serial No. 661,022

This invention relates to ironing machines'and in particular to cabinet structures for ironing machines.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a cabinet and supporting structure for an ironing machine having a top part which is movable from a closed to an open position for exposing the working elements of the machine at a proper height for the performance of the ironing operations by a person seated in front of the machine, the cabinet also being arranged to provide a table' top of table height when the machine is in its closed position.

Another vobject of this invention is to provide a cabinet type ironing machine with means for counterbalancing the weight of the cabinet cover.

Another object of this invention is a provision of an ironing machine cabinet structure wherein the "cabinettop and the ironing mechanism are movably secured toa supporting structure so that the weight of the ironing mechanism and theweight of the cabinet top counterbalance each other for certain positions of the cabinet top.

A further object of this invention relates to the provision of a safety device whereby the supplying of heat to the heated member of the ironer is prevented when the machine is in its closed and inoperative position.

With these and other objects in view,- the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts. hereinafter illustrated and described in some of itsembodiments in the accompanying-drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one end of an ironing machine cabinet shown in a closed position and illustrating the details of one form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l and in which the cabinet is shown in its open position.

Figure `3 is a side elevational view of the front of the machine. r

Figure 4 vis a plan elevational view with the "cabinet cover being shown partly in a section taken on line l-l, Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the front of a modified form of ironing machine cabinet illustrative of the invention. l

Figure 6 is 'a side elevational view of one end Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 6 y with the ldifference however that the cabinet is shown in its open position.

' une` s s, Figure 5 musirating the details of the safety shoe control switch mechanism.

Figure l0 is a side elevational view of one end of another form ironer cabinetillustrating the of the machine shown in Figure 5 with certain of the parts of the machine broken away for the 'sake of clearness in illustrating the details of the cover securement means, the cabinet being shown lin its closed position.

invention and in which the cabinet isshown in open position. Figure l1 is .aview corresponding to Figure 10 and in which the. machine is shown in closed position, and

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectionall view of the cover securement means taken on line I2I 2, Figure l0.

The machine illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a supporting structure which may be fabricated from'sheet metal to f orm the side walls I and 2 and the rear wall 3 of a paneled cabinet having legs 4 formed therewith, the latter having casters 5 carried in the lower ends thereof. The rear of the cabinet is folded over at 8 to form a part of the cabinet top, the remainder of the cabinet top is formed from a box-like cover 'I which in the closed position. of the machine is flush with the top part of the cabinet formed by the bentover portioni of the rear wall 3. l

.The front of the machine is provided with two doors 8 having knobs 9 and catches I0, the knobs and catches being provided for facilitating the swinging of the doors to an open position when it is desired to operate the machine and for maintaining the doors in closed position vwhen the machine is not inV use.

A bed-plate or base member II is secured to the cabinet by means of a pivotal mounting l2.

cabinet. This switch has an operating member I9 for ,controlling the current supply of both the operating motor I5 and the heated shoe I4, which are connected to the switch by means of the cable '20, the switch also having a cable 2| forl l connection tothe electrical supply line feed wir (not shown) When the cabinet is moved to its closed position an element 22 secured to the base member contacts the switch member I9 moves it to its closed switch position. This feature is of considerable importance in cabinet type ironers for in the absence of a safety device for accomplishing this object it is possible for a person to close the machine when the shoe is connected to the source of electrical current supply and the continued heating of the shoe under such conditions will eventually set the padding of the roll I3 on re. causing considerable damage to the machine as Well as giving rise to the possibility of setting tire to the building in which the machine is located.

The element is fixed to and forms a part of the base member I I and it has an upstanding part 23 secured to one end of a link 24 by means of a pivotal connection 25. One end of a second link 26 is articulated at 21 to the other end of the link 24 and it is pivoted at 28 to a supporting member 29 of the cabinet structure. The other end of the link 26 is pivoted at 30 to the cabinet top. Another link 3| has its ends pivoted at 32 and 33 to the side wall of the cabinet frame to the rear portion of the cabinet cover respectively. A complementary set of links and levers are provided for the opposite end of the machine to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 and like reference numerals are used to indicate the corresponding elements ofV these parts of the machine.

When the machine is in the position shown in Figure 1, the cabinet can be opened up by moving the cabinet top 1 upwardly, and then rearwardly and downwardly. The articulated links 29 and 2B serve to raise the ironing mechanism to im upper and operative position as shown in Figure 2, while at the same time the cabinet top is housed for effecting the operation of the machine.' such mechanism being driven by the motor 44. The machine is electrically operated and is controlled by means of a motor switch and a shoe switch, the operating members of which are shown at 45 and 46 respectively. A cable 41 is shifted to a position behind and below the ironing mechanism where it is out of the way of the opershoe will then become heated within a short time whereupon the machine is ready for use.

By reason of the arrangement shown, the cabinet top and ironer mechanism counterbalance each other so that very little eort is required in moving the machine from its closed to its open position or vice versa. The cabinet top in its open position is located within the supporth ing base of the machine and there is no tendency for the machine to tip over as there might be if the cabinet top occupied a position to one side of the base of the machine as is customary practice in the construction and-design of machines of this sort.

The form of cabinet structure shown in Figures 5 to 9 inclusive, comprises a support formed witha paneled rear member 35 and paneled end members 36 and 31 which may be conveniently formed from sheet metal with legs 38 depending therefrom. These legs are provided with casters 39 at their lower ends to facilitate the moving of the machine about from place to place.

provided for connecting the machine to a source of electrical current supply (not shown).

A box-like cover A8 having a table-top 49 is movably connected to the base member and to the supporting structure by means of a pair of links 5Fl- 5I which are provided at each end oi.' the machine. One end of the link 59 is pivotally secured at 52 to the supporting structure and its opposite-end is pivoted'at 53 to the front lower part of the cover 98. The links 5I are pivotally secured at 5d to the supporting structure and at their opposite ends they are pivoted at 55 to the lower rear part of the cover. The links 5I have crank arms 5t pivotally connected at 51 to one end of a link 58 which at its opposite end is pivoted at 59 to the base member 99 of the machine. The crank arm and last named link are provided for raising and lowering the base member.

When the machine is in its closed position as shown in Figure 6 the cover can be easily moved to the position shown in Figure 7 whereby the ironing mechanism is raised to its operative position and the cover assumes a position to the rear of the machine and below the level of the ironing mechanism. :By having the cabinet cover swing downwardly to the position shown there is less tendency for the machine to tip over than there would be if the cover were merely pivoted at its lower rear edge to the supporting structure and shifted to its open position by swinging it ninety degrees about such pivot as is a customary form of construction in machines of this type.

The shoe control switch is of the mercury type and it is illustrated in detail in Figure 9. 'Ihe control member 46 of this switch is pivoted at 69 to a switch box 9i having an opening for the electrical supply cable t1. One of the conductors 92 of the cableV is connected across the switch l terminals 93 and @t of a mercury switch 65 having a globule of mercury 66 for connecting and disconnecting the terminals with respect to each other. The current carrying conductors 6.2 and 61 are connected to a cable 98 leading to the heating element of the shoe fit?.

When the switch is in the position shown in Figure 9 it is in position for connecting the shoe i to the source of electrical current supply. The switch tube (i5 is carried by a clip 99 which is pivoted at 19 to the switch box. A plate 1i is iixedly secured to the clip for movement therewith. This plate has a curved end 12 for contact with the lower end of the switch operating member 46. The opposite end of the plate 1I is urged in a downward direction by means of a A base member 40 is pivoted at 4I to the upper I part of the support structure. The base member carries a padded roll 42, a. heated shoe 43 and a gear case 44 in which suitable mechanism is spring 13. A stop 14 carried by the switch box A 1I to limit its moveto its closed position the globule of mercury will 'A run to' the opposite end of the tube and thus serve to automatically break ,the electrical con- 2,258,499 Y v nection between the source oi current supply and the heating element of 4the shoe.

This form oi switch provides an important safety device for preventing the burning of the padding oi the machine by reason of the failure oi the operator to disconnect the electrical current supply-to such shoe when the cabinet is closed up, as often occurs and sometimes with disastrous results to both the machine itself and to the building wherein such machine is located. Under such conditions it is not only possible f' but also quite probable that the shoe will set the roll padding on ilre and such burning padding can `drop on to the iioor beneath the machine and set fire tothe building in which themachine is located.

The iorm oi ironing machine shown in Figures `to 12 as illustrative of this invention, comprises a supporting structure 88 carried on legs 8| which are iltted at their lower ends with casters 82. A bed-plate or base member 88 is provided for supporting a gear case 8l and a cooperating roll and shoe85 and 86 respectively.

Suitable mechanism for operating the machine' is' housed within the gear case 84. 'I'he base member 83 is pivotally secured to the'frameworlr at 81 for movement about a horizontal axis.

The machine is electrically operated and a member 88 for raising and lowering the same.

'I'he lower ends of thev members |8| and |88 are provided with intermeshing gear segments ||2 and respectively. A set of leversW corresponding to those illustrated in the drawings are .provided at each end of the cabinet.

` When the machine is in its closed position as illustrated in Figure l1, it may be readily opened by raising the c'over and then moving it rearwardly and downwardly, the downward and angular movement of the lever |8| being transferred to the lever |88 by the jointactlon ofthe connecting member |84 and the gears and H2, the movement ci the lever |88 serving to swing the base member 83 to its elevated position. During this step inthe operation oi the machine, the spring |81 assists the operator in raising the mechanism to its open position.

cable 88 is provided i'or connecting the operating parts of the machine to a source of "electrical current supply (not shown). The cable 88 is connected through a switch 98 having an operating member 9|, to a cable 92 which is connected to the heating element of the shoe 88. The construction oi the switch 98 is similar to the form4 of construction of the switch 8| shown in connection with the form of machine illustrated in Figures 5 and 9 inclusive.`

The switch 98 serves to automatically disconnect the shoe from the source ofcurrent supply when the machine is tipped to its closed position as illustrated in Figure 1l. It is of course understood that certain oi the switch parts will be reversed from the position they occupy in the -iorm oi the device illustrated in Figure' by reason of the fact that the base member 83 is pivoted at its rear part instead of at its front part` as in the case in the machine shown in 4Figure 5.

The machine is provided with a cabinet top 98 secured for pivotal and bodily movement with respect to the supporting structure 88 of the machine. The cover securement means comprises a lever 8l, one end of which is pivoted at 85 to the supporting structure of the machine, while the other end of suchl lever is Vpivoted at 98 to the lower front portion of the cover 98. A second lever 91 is pivotally 4secured at 88 to the rear wall oi' the supporting structure while its other end is pivoted at |08 to the rear wall of the cover. A'third lever |8| is pivotally connected at |82 to a portion of the lever 94 located slightly below the pivotV 98 of such lever. l

The opposite end of |85 at a point intermediate its length to the the lever Inl is pivoted at |83 to a ycrank member |84 which is pivoted at end wall of the supporting structure.' The crank member |84 is provided at the end opposite the pivot |88. with a pin |88 tol which is secured a spring |01, the opposite end of which is secured to the rear part. of the supporting frame 88. A lever |88 is also pivoted at |88 to I the supporting structure and. at its opposite or upper end it has a roller H8 engaging the base In closing the machine the cover is moved in a manner reverse to that just described and during the closing operation the weight of the mechanism carried bythe base member 83 serves to counterbalance the weight oi the cover so that the closing'operation is performed with a very slight effort. on the part oi' the operator. 'I'he spring |81 operates'to check the member 83 during the latter part of its downward movement, and to counterbalance its weight. With the arrangement shown the cover and the mechanical parts oi the machine are substantially counterbalanced at -their various'positions. the j spring V|81 assisting the operator in the manual effort required initially to move the cover from its closed position, and when the cover is moved` in a reverse direction, the weight of the ironerl mechanism serves to assist the operator Iin Having thus described our invention what we claim is:

1. In combination with an electrically heated ironer mechanism, a source of electrical current supply therefor, a cabinet having abase member hinged for movement about a horizontal axis for supporting said mechanism in two dinerent positions, one position corresponding to its .op, erative position and the other corresponding to its inoperative position, a cover for inclosing said machine when in its inoperative position,

and means comprising a liquid-contact switchV pivotally mounted on the front part of said base` member having lan operating member for manually controlling the current supply of the ironer when said cover is in the position it occupies when said mechanism is in its operative position A and for automatically disconnecting the heated part of said mechanism from the source of electrical current supply upon the tilting oi said switch when said mechanism is moved to its covered and inoperative position.

2. In an ironing machine, ironing means comprising a heated member, a cover for said ironing means, means for electrically heating said member, means 'for tilting and shifting said ironing means and cover from an operative to an inoperative position, and a control device including a liquid-contact switch with a manual controller located forwardly of said heated member and movable therewith for automatically rendering said heating means inoperative when y said cover and ironing means are shifted to their inoperative position.

3. In an ironing machine, ironing means comprisingl a padded element and a cooperating pressing member, means for electrically heating said member, means for tilting said ironing means from an operative to an inoperative podtion, a gravity-operated switch for automatically rendering said heating means inoperative when said ironing means are moved to their inopera' tive position, and manual means for working said switch when said ironing means are in their operating position.

J OI-IN J. MCCABE. WALTER G. BRITTAIN. 

